Bittersweet birthday reflections for Liverpool football fan
For you Dad: Jordache Rathnam, who celebrated his birthday on December 31, lifts a replica of the Premier League trophy, in memory of his late father, Selvan who died on December 31 in 2019. The trophy was won by the mighty Reds after 30 long years of waiting. Things are a bit different this season - the title race is wide open and arch-rivals Manchester United and Manchester City are very much in the hunt.
For Jordache Rathnam, also known as Jody, supporting Liverpool Football Club has been a way of life for as long as he can remember.
He has seen how it has not only brought people together, but also created timeless bonds between friends.
In his case, it has been a particularly special bond between father and son.
Jody’s dad Selvan was as avid a fan as you could find and he spent the best part of three decades waiting for the Reds to finally win the Premier League.
When Liverpool last won the league in 1990, it wasn’t even called the Premier League, and Jody hadn’t been born yet.
His older brother Keegan was born in that year, so it was a time to really celebrate.
So, it was bitterly ironic that in 2019, with Liverpool on the cusp of victory and being declared champions, that Selvan should die suddenly.
What made it even more difficult to deal with was that he died on Jody’s birthday, December 31.
By this time last year, Liverpool had such a big lead in the league that the result was a foregone conclusion.
“My Dad supported the team from when he was a boy. He really loved Liverpool and never changed his teams, he was a proper, die-hard fan,” said Jody.
“My love for Liverpool was cemented in 2005 after one of the most dramatic Champions League final comebacks in the history of the sport,” he said.
That was when Liverpool beat Milan in Istanbul, Turkey after being 3-0 down at half-time.
Three goals in the space of about six minutes – the first from Steven Gerrard – shortly after half-time brought Liverpool back into the game and ultimately ended with victory in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Jody loved to watch games with his Dad.
“There were times where we’d be watching a game and he’d tell me about new transfers, new managers and who was doing what. He was always up to date with football news and he passed it on to us.”
Along the way there have been other victories for the club, most notably victory in the 2019 Champions League, with a comfortable win over Tottenham Hotspurs.
In 2019, the Reds also won the Fifa Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
Selvan, Jody and the rest of the family, as well as the members of the local Liverpool FC Supporters Club, were able to thoroughly enjoy these wins.
It gave the Anfield faithful around the world the feeling that the Premier League title would come their way in 2020, which it did in emphatic fashion.
For Jody, one of the joys of being a ‘super fan’ is collecting merchandise and he has some original jerseys worn by past players, like Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres.
“I also have one that belonged to Peter Crouch and then there is the Steven Gerrard shirt, which my mom Linda really loves. She’s the only one allowed to wear it,” he laughed.
As far as the new season is concerned, the title race is much tighter, but Jody is enjoying it.
He misses watching games with his Dad and sharing views and opinions.
Two things he knows, though: the bond he shared with his Dad will strengthen him in life and that, ultimately, he will never walk alone.
FAST FACTS
19 Premier League
6 Champions League
7 FA Cup
8 League Cup (Carabao)
15 Community Shield
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